Receptacle for electric plugs



Nov. 27, 1934. B. F. MULDOON RECEPTACLE FOR ELECTRIC PLUGS Filed July 14, 1950 2 Sheets-sheaf. 1

INVENTOR Warm ATTORNE him Nov. 27, 1934. B. F. MULDOON v 1,982,263

RECEPTACLE FOR ELECTRIC PLUGS Filed July 14, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR ATTORNE Patented Nov. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES RECEPTACLE FOR ELECTRIC PLUGS Bernard F. Muldoon, Mountain View, N. J., assignor to Henry Hyman, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application July 14, 1930, Serial No. 467,757

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a novel and improved form of receptacle for electric plugs, and particularly the type of receptacle used for insertion in a wall.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description and the annexed drawings, in which I have shown selected embodiments of the. invention, and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a face view of one form of receptacle to which the invention may be applied;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1, but showing a different embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a rear view of the structure shown in i 5;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 88 of Fig. 6.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the receptacle therein comprises a supporting plate 1 having extensions provided with apertures 2 for the reception of fastening means by which the receptacle may be secured in position in a wall. The plate and receptacle are of the general type described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 304,099, and the receptacle comprises a plurality of spaced sockets 3, here shown as two in number, these sockets being inserted through openings in the plate 1 and held therein by means of tongues 4.

The sockets, of course, are of insulating mater ial and extend backwardly from the plate 1 for a substantial distance as shown. Extending between adjacent sockets are contact bars 5 carrying binding posts 6 and also supporting contacts 7 disposed in recesses 8 in the sockets, these recesses being adapted to receive contacts on plugs, which plug contacts will cooperate with the contacts 7 in the usual way to close a circuit.

Extending over the back of the sockets is a strip 9 of insulating material, this strip serving to cover the contact bars and contacts from the rear and prevent accidental bridging thereof, which would cause a short circuit. This type of receptacle may be subjected to hard usage, particularly during installation, and if during such installation the strip becomes damaged, its function as a protection and insulation for the contacts and contact bars is eliminated.

In order to protect and strengthen the strip, I provide a relatively strong reinforcing member 10 of metal, here shown as a plate, and this plate is secured to the sockets by rivets, 11, thus forming a rigid structural arrangement serving to definitely space the backward ends of the sockets and hold them against displacement without reliance having to be placed upon the insulating strip to serve this purpose.

In order to still further strengthen the arrangement, the edge portions 12 of the plate 10 are bent over the edges of the strip as indicated in Fig. 2, this arrangement serving not only to make a more rigid plate and more rigid structure generally, but also serving to protect these edges of the strip. A still further function resides in the fact that the bent-over edge portions may overlap the sockets and thus aid in centering the strip during assembly.

Referring now to Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, I have shown a similar arrangement where a receptacle is formed with one socket only. In this arrangement, the plate 1 is provided with an opening through which is inserted one socket 3 provided with recesses 8 in which are contacts '7 as in the other embodiment. These contacts are carried by short contacting bars 5 which are bent outwardly over the back edge of the socket, as plainly shown in Fig. 6, the outer portion being bent generally parallel to the wall of the socket and overlying a member 13 threaded to receive a binding post 14.

Extending over the back of the socket and protecting the contact bars is an insulating strip 15 which is protected and reinforced by a plate 16, both the strip and plate being secured to the socket by a rivet 17. A second insulating strip 18 may be interposed between contact bars, if desired. The plate 16 has its edge portions bent and overlying the strips 15 and 18 and a portion of the socket wall, as indicated at 19. In this form, as in the other, the plate adds rigidity and protection to the back of the receptacle. In this form, it is further noted that one rivet is sufi'icient for holding parts together, rotation about this rivet being prevented by engagement 1 of the overhanging portions 19 and the walls of the socket.

I claim:

A receptacle comprising a front supporting plate having provision for attachment to a support, said plate having a pair of spaced openings, a pair of separate socket members received within said openings and extending rearwardly from said plate, means for securing said socket members to said plate, an insulation strip interconnecting the rear portions of said socket members, terminal members extending into'said socket members and positioned between said front plate and said insulating strip, a metal plate overlying said insulating strip and having its edges'terminating in spaced relation to said front plate, and means securing said insulating strip and said overlying plate to said socket members.

BERNARD F. MULDOON. 

